We’re Hiring!

postdoctoral researcher in seagrass reproductive ecology

We are hiring a Postdoctoral Researcher for a project examining seagrass reproductive ecology and physiology to support management and restoration in the Florida Panhandle and at the Chandeleur Islands, LA. Applicants should have experience and interest in seagrass biology and ecology, experience working on small vessels and in shallow coastal ecosystems, strong writing and presentation skills, and interest in working collaboratively with natural resource managers.

The postdoctoral researcher will be supervised by Dr. Kelly Darnell and based at GCRL in Ocean Springs, MS. GCRL was established in 1948 and is one of the oldest and largest marine labs in the Gulf with 200+ faculty, staff, and students and state-of-the-art research facilities that support USM’s designation as an R1 University. Ocean Springs is a charming coastal town known for its vibrant art community, restaurants, beaches, and quaint downtown.  

This is a 12-month appointment starting in Summer or Fall 2025 and renewable through 2027, with a competitive salary, benefits, and opportunities for professional development and participation in regional and national conferences.  

Interested candidates should email a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references to Kelly Darnell (Kelly.Darnell@usm.edu).

Prospective students

The Division of Coastal Sciences offers both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Information about the degree programs can be found here. Application deadlines are April 1 (for Fall admission) and September 1 (for Spring admission), but I encourage you to contact me well before those deadlines.

Students in the Coastal Ecology and Seagrass Biology Lab are typically funded through external research grants, however departmental fellowships are also available (see below). Assistantship opportunities will be posted on this page when they become available.

Interested students are encouraged to contact me about current and/or upcoming opportunities.